From Space to Auction: Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE
Not shy to feats— mechanical or otherwise— of grand proportion, Jacob & Co. this summer is highlighting its latest marvel in the Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE. The new watch is a piece unique, being specially produced for the Rakia space mission, a special Israeli-led, four-person flight to and from the International Space Station that took place this past spring.
As its name indicates, the uncommon timepiece was produced in collaboration with Bucherer BLUE, the well-known Swiss retailer’s “platform for bringing to life daring projects with innovative partners,” as described by Patrick Graf, Chief Commercial Officer for the brand. The model was additionally debuted in partnership with Sotheby’s, with the auction house set to place it for sale.
In terms of style, the Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE is a novel, special edition take on Jacob & Co.’s previous Astronomia Tourbillon base design. The original Astronomia was launched as an “embodiment of 21st-century ultra-high-end watchmaking,” as phrased by the maker, with it notably featuring a large, primarily sapphire case construction in precious metal and a captivating, revolving display.
The unique watch was worn in-flight by Rakia crew member Eytan Stibbe, an impact investor and philanthropist, with the uncommon timepiece having joined the mission for its 17 days 1 hour and 37 minutes duration in space. Notably, this flight also allowed the watch to become the first triple axis tourbillon to leave the Earth’s atmosphere.
In terms of specifics, the display of the Bucherer BLUE features a magnesium and hand-lacquered globe of the earth, a spherical-shaped diamond with 288 facets known as the "Jacob-Cut," a patented triple-axis tourbillon, and a subdual for the hours and minutes with a patented timepiece-differential gear system; each of these are showcased upon magnesium dial.
The Jacob & Co.’s caliber JCAM10 ensures the steady operation of the display, with its meticulous finishing visible throughout, and its 60-hour power reserve wound manually via a lift-out rotating “bow” placed on the commemorative caseback of the model. An 18k white gold case sized at 50mm and featuring massive sapphire crystal windows encases it all.
